Johnson Oatman, Jr., the son of Johnson and Rachel Ann Oatman, was born near Medford, New Jersey, U.S.A. on 21 April 1856. His authorship of, “I’m Pressing on the Upward Way,” was just one of over 3,000 hymns that he wrote during his lifetime. The lyrics to this song are as follows:
1. I’m pressing on the upward way, New heights I’m gaining every day; Still praying as I’m onward bound, “Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
Refrain:
Lord, lift me up and let me stand, By faith, on Heaven’s tableland, A higher plane than I have found; Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
3. I want to live above the world, Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled; For faith has caught the joyful sound, The song of saints on higher ground.
4. I want to scale the utmost height, And catch a gleam of glory bright; But still I’ll pray till Heav’n I’ve found, “Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
Saint Ignatius Catholic Church on Beit Road in Lusaka, Zambia was established in 1937. The current pastor is Reverend Father Joseph Keaney, S.J. (Society of Jesus). The associate pastor is Reverend Father Peter Banda, S.J.
“…We are driven by the words of our patron saint, Saint Ignatius of Loyola who is known to have coined a phrase during his ministry; 'Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam' (AMDG) which is Latin to mean, “For the greater glory of God.” Knowing that we are not always visible to the world, we strive to mimic our Christian journey on ‘the wind’, which no one can see yet all can feel it alive and moving around us. In like manner, we aim to spread the Good News of our salvation through Jesus Christ.” -Victor Kabonga, Chairman, St. Ignatius Youth Council.
“The parish church of St Ignatius in Rhodes Park, Lusaka, Zambia, in southern Africa, is home to a fine musical tradition, but many of its parishioners say it is at the 10 a.m. Sunday Mass that you hear truly celestial music. Both the Folk Choir and the Classical Choir have admirers across international frontiers, and the former has recently performed twice in Sweden in a global music festival. But it is the Classical Choir which is truly extraordinary in its beautiful and eclectic music, a blend of the most original new African music and the Gregorian music, sung in Latin, of the medieval Christian world.
That choir is under the direction of Sonia Mumba Somwe and her husband, Michael Somwe, the organist, who between them have created a remarkable group of talented, committed and professional singers.
There are many paths to faith and understanding, and though it may not be fashionable to say it out loud, music can be the medium in which a Divine message finds its expression and through which God’s meaning can be understood….” by Peter Newsham, The Times of Malta, 26 September 2015.
